Reality Augmented (VR) vs Google Cardboard
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Reality Augmented (VR)
Transform your surroundings into a stereoscopic augmented reality experience. Apply immersive filters and view your world through an iOS device and VR headset. Record and play back filtered videos in VR.
- Stereoscopic augmented reality filters
- Adjustable stereoscopic ratio
- Customizable camera resolutions and frame rates
- Audio-reactive and custom color filters
- Record and play back VR videos
- Flashlight for night vision
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Reality Augmented (VR) is the world's first Stereoscopic Augmented Reality Experience for iOS! Experience real life like never before through your iOS device's camera Filtered and Split for VR! See your surroundings in augmented stereoscopic form using immersive filters and a VR headset. ▼ A Huge Collection of Stunning Camera Filters - Adjustable stereoscopic ratio - Choose from low to HD camera resolutions - Customize frame rate for stop-motion to smooth, high-speed capture - Audio-Reactive Filters – move with background music or voice - Custom Color Palettes – design your own filter look - Advanced zoom features - Flashlight for night vision ▼ Record and Playback - Record filtered video directly to your photo library - Play videos from your photo library in stereoscopic VR Compatible with iOS VR headsets that have an open front for camera access. Note: Some features — such as video playback and advanced camera controls — require an upgrade via in-app purchase. A free filter rotates. YouTube: https://youtu.be/qONjW8ehRhM Video Preview Music By: www.bensound.com Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Google Cardboard
Experience virtual reality on your iPhone. This app guides you through setting up a compatible viewer and offers initial immersive experiences to explore.
- VR viewer setup
- Introductory VR experiences
- iPhone compatibility
- Cardboard viewer integration
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Cardboard puts virtual reality on your iPhone. The Google Cardboard app helps you set up a Cardboard viewer and includes a few experiences to get you started. To fully enjoy this app you'll need a Cardboard viewer. Learn more and get your own Cardboard viewer at http://g.co/cardboard. Do not use this app while driving, walking, or otherwise by being distracted or disoriented from real world situations that prevent you from obeying traffic or safety laws.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Reality Augmented (VR) at 4.3 against Google Cardboard's 2.8. Reality Augmented (VR) also leads on review sentiment (60% vs 27%). Google Cardboard's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Reality Augmented (VR) sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Google Cardboard asks for nothing beyond the download.
Reality Augmented (VR) holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 446 and 598 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Reality Augmented (VR)'s written reviews are positive against 27% of Google Cardboard's.
Reality Augmented (VR) ships an update every 4 months, Google Cardboard every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Reality Augmented (VR) | Google Cardboard |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (446 ratings) — better | 2.8 (598 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 59.7% of reviews — better | 26.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 446 | 598 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 60 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Magnitude LLC | |
Customer experience
Reality Augmented (VR)
Google Cardboard
User reviews
Reality Augmented (VR)
From 446 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Amazing AR experience
- 🚀 Great filters and effects
- 💡 Lets you film from VR headset
- 🔒 Robust security features
Room to improve
- 🐛 Glitchy in-app purchases
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
- 💸 Paywall for many features
- 🤖 Unreliable playback
Google Cardboard
From 598 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Great VR experience
- 🎉 Fun and immersive
- 👍 Simulates VR headset well
- 🌟 Awesome for the price
Room to improve
- 🐛 Spinning/glitching issues on newer iPhones
- 🤕 Can cause motion sickness
- 📺 Limited content/demos
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate/interact
Bugs and requests
Reality Augmented (VR)
Reported bugs
4 issues- Purchased filters not unlocking
- Playback feature not working
- Crashing and freezing issues
- Upside down video recordings
Requested features
4 requests- Add normal camera lens
- Improve video quality and frame rate
- Implement VR video recording and playback
- Add more free filter options
Google Cardboard
Reported bugs
3 issues- Constant spinning/shaking on some devices
- Crashes and freezes on launch
- Incompatibility with certain VR headsets
Requested features
4 requests- More VR games and interactive experiences
- Ability to view own photos/videos in VR
- Support for newer iOS versions
- Improved navigation and controls
In-app purchases
Reality Augmented (VR)
- Filters - Monthly Access$0.991 Month
- Video Player - Monthly Access$0.991 Month
- Filters - Yearly Access$9.991 Year
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- Video Player - Yearly Access$9.991 Year
- 12-Pack(#1)$0.99
- 12-Pack(#2)$0.99
- 12-Pack(#3)$0.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- 12-Pack(#4)$0.99
- Bonus Pack (Unlock Everything)$2.99
Google Cardboard
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Reality Augmented (VR) free?
Is Google Cardboard free?
Which has better reviews, Reality Augmented (VR) or Google Cardboard?
Do Reality Augmented (VR) or Google Cardboard have ads?
Which is updated more often, Reality Augmented (VR) or Google Cardboard?
Other comparisons
